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. 2018 Jan-Apr;11(1):11-15.
doi: 10.4103/ojo.OJO_205_2016.

The use of tea tree oil in treating blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction

Thuraya Noaman Maher  1
Affiliations

The use of tea tree oil in treating blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction

Thuraya Noaman Maher. Oman J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jan-Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction are chronic inflammatory conditions with overlapping pathophysiology and symptomatology. Both microbial infection and seborrhea contribute to the pathophysiology and both may benefit from treatment with tea tree oil (TTO). We evaluated the therapeutic effect of eyelids scrubbing with TTO in a group of patients with lid margin disease.

Materials and methods: Forty patients were recruited. Half of them received lid scrubbing with a TTO formula (Naviblef™) and the other half was treated by massage and cleansing. The effect on ocular surface symptoms, tear film stability, and lid signs was evaluated.

Results: All patients receiving TTO improved in symptoms, signs, and tear film stability, and the improvement was statistically significant at P < 0.001. Only five patients in massage group showed improvement. The changes in massage group were not statistically significant at P < 0.001. TTO is very effective in relieving symptoms and improving tear film stability and lid signs.

Keywords: Blepharitis; meibomian gland dysfunction; ocular surface disease index; tea tree oil.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Tear break-up time scores before and after treatment
Figure 2
Figure 2
Ocular surface disease index scores mean before and after treatment
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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